PAUL LUNT’S DIARY. 
MAY-DECEMBRER, 1775. 


EpitepD BY SAMUEL A. GREEN, M.D. 


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PAUL LUNTS DIARY. 


MAY-DECEMBER, 1775. 


Epitep BY SAMUEL A. GREEN, M.D. 





BO SRO Nn; 
FOR PRIVATE DISTRIBUTION. 
1872. 








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PREFACE. 


Tue following diary, kept by Lieutenant Paul Lunt, of Newbury- 
port, during a part of the Revolutionary War, came into my possession 
for a short time, through the kindness of the Hon. George Lunt, of 
this city. Extracts from it were read at the meeting of the Massachu- 
setts Historical Society, for February, 1872, and it is published in full 
in their Proceedings of that date. A small edition is now printed from 
the forms used at that time. The spelling and punctuation have been 
made to conform to modern usage; and a change in the arrangement 
of some of the dates has also been made for the sake of uniformity. 
With these exceptions the diary is printed as it was written. For the 
following sketch of the writer I am indebted to Mr. Lunt. 

Paul Lunt was a descendant of Henry Lunt, one of the original 
settlers of the tewn of Newbury, in the year 1635. His descendants 
.till occupy the farm in Newbury (Oldtown) on which he resided. He 
was a first lieutenant of the company commanded by his kinsman, 
Ezra Lunt, at Bunker Hill. Of this company, one of the historians 
of Newburyport, Mrs. E. Vale Smith, says: “The Rev. Jonathan 
Patsons having made an appeal at the close of one of his sermons, in 
which he called on his hearers to form volunteer companies, and in- 
vited those to walk out into the broad aisle who would do so, Mr. Ezra 
Lunt was the first to do so; and a volunteer company was immediately 
formed, with Ezra Lunt as captain. His was the first volunteer com- 
pany formed for the purpose of joining the continental army.” 

The same historian, writing of the final retreat of our troops from 
the redoubt on Bunker Hill, says: “Captain Ezra Lunt’s company 
was ordered up to cover the retreat of these exhausted troops, whose 
ammunition was now all expended. His company did good service, 
and, with aid of others forming this devoted rear guard, effectually kept 






the enemy at bay till the retreat was accomplished; but m 
were killed or wounded.” Be PONS 
Paul Lunt, however, escaped injury, and afterward, 
joined Arnold’s famous expedition for the siege of Qu bec, 
sailed from Newburyport in September, 1775, for the Kenn sbe 
his subsequent history nothing is known by the writer of this ir 
duction, except that he returned to Newbury and resumed his o 
pation as a farmer at the old place, where he died in 1824. % A 


PADL, LUNT Ss BOOK, 


NEWBURYPORT, May 10, 1775. 


A JOURNAL OF TRAVELS FROM NEWBURYPORT TO CAMBRIDGE AND 
IN THE CAMP. 


Wednesday, May 10, 1775.— Marched from Newburyport with 
sixty men at eleven o'clock, Captain Ezra Lunt commander; marched 
to Rowley, took some refreshments ; marched to Ipswich, Treadwell’s, 
supped and lodged. 

Thursday, 11th.— Fast day. Marched to Putnam’s to, breakfast ; 
heard Mr. Hitchcock preach forenooa from Psalm lvi. 3; marched to 
Newell’s, supped on salmon and lodged. 

Friday, 12th.— Arrived at Cambridge [at] eleven o’clock, quar- 
tered in John Bolin’s house; took refreshment, supped, and lodged at 
Steadman’s. 

Monday, 145th. — Marched to parade, returned, supped and lodged 
in quarters. At twelve o’clock at night alarmed by a report that the 
British troops were landing; paraded the first in the camp, but soon 
found the report to be false; returned to quarters. 

Tuesday, 16th.— Captain Lunt and twenty-four men went on guard. 

Wednesday, 17th. — Paraded at two o’clock; marched near Lech- 
mere’s Point, where some of our guard fired at a barge, killed two of 
them [and] wounded one. They returned the fire, but did no damage. 
At nine o'clock at night a fire broke out in Boston on Treat’s Wharf 
in the soldiers’ barracks, by delivering out some cartridges; blowed up 
one soldier and burnt a number of warehouses. 

Thursday, 18th.— Rode to Roxbury in company with Rev. Mr. 
Parsons and Captain Lunt. 

Friday, 19th.— Went on guard at Mrs. Inman’s with twenty-four 
men; moved from Bolan’s to Mr. Wigglesworth’s. Relieved from ~ 
guard, Saturday, 20th, [at] nine o’clock. 

Sunday, 21st.— Went to meeting. 

Monday, 22d. — Wind at,N.E., stormy. Nine men went on guard. 

Tuesday, 23d. — Marched to parade, then returned to quarters. 

Wednesday, 24th.— Went [to] Charlestown. Captain Lunt re- 
turned. 

1* 


6 


Thursday, 25th. — Paraded the men; then returned to quarters. 

Friday, 26th. — Captain Lunt went upon guard with eighteen men. 

Saturday, 27th.— A number of men (about six hundred) marched 
to Chelsea with two cannon, in order to burn some hay and drive off a 
number of cattle and sheep from Hog and Noddle’s Island. There came 
an armed schooner against them from Boston, and ran aground be- 
tween the islands and began a battle. Our men burnt the vessel with- 
out the loss of a man, and she kept a continual fire all the time till 
she was set on fire. She carried twelve cannon and four swivels. 

Sunday, 28th.— Six hundred men marched to Chelsea to relieve 
those that were there. 

Monday, 29th.— Went on guard at Madam Inman’s with sixteen 
of our men. 

Tuesday, 30th.— Returned from guard. Mr. Huse came here at 
nine o’clock in the evening. 

Wednesday, 31st. — Captain Lunt went to Milton. 

Thursday, June 1st.—I set out for Newburyport at ten o'clock ; 
got in at ten at night. 

Tuesday, 6th. — Set out for Cambridge at eight o’clock, and arrived 
at eight at night. 

Wednesday, 7th. — Nothing remarkable. 

Thursday, 8th.— Drummed a bad woman out of camp. 

Friday and Saturday, 9th and 10th. — Nothing remarkable. 

Sunday, 11th. — Went upon guard at Mrs. Inman’s with forty men. 

Monday, 12th. — Returned from guard at nine o’clock. 

Tuesday, 13th.— Captain Abner Greenleaf and Captain Rogers 
came to the camps. Mr. Martin dined with us upon baked veal and 
green peas. 

Wednesday, 14th.— Some ships and transports arrived at Boston 
with two hundred horse and three thousand troops. 

Thursday, 15th. — Mr. Huse came to Cambridge. 

Friday, 16th. — Our men went to Charlestown and intrenched on a 
hill beyond Bunker’s Hill. They fired from the ships and Copp’s Hill 
all the time. 

Saturday, 17th. — The Regulars landed a number of troops, and we 
engaged them. They drove us off the hill, and burnt Charlestown. Dr. 
Warren was lost in the battle: the siege lasted about three hours. 
They killed about 50 of our men, wounded about 80: we killed of the 
king’s troops 896, — 92 officers, 104 sergeants. ‘ 

Sunday, 18th.— We intrenched on Prospect Hill; alarmed that the 
Reeulars were advancing towards our intrenchment, but found it to 
_ be false; returned to quarters. 

Monday, 19th. — We killed some of their guard. 

Tuesday, 20th. — Went upon picket guard. 

Wednesday, 21st. — Passed muster. 

Thursday, 22d. — The soldiers received their first month’s pay. 
Friday, 23d. — Moved from Wigglesworth’s house to Prospect Hill. 
Saturday, 24th.— Nothing remarkable. 


7 


Sunday, 25th.— Heard the Rev. Mr. .Cleaveland preach from 
Joshua xxii. 22, part 23d verse. 

Monday, 26th. — Removed our tents off the hill. 

Tuesday, 27th.— Went upon fatigue with thirty-eight men. 

W ednesday, 28th. — Fired the morning gun at daylight. Five of the 
inhabitants broke out with the small-pox near our tents. At about 
sunset it began to rain after a very dry time, wind N.E. 

Thursday, 29th. — Nothing remarkable. 

Friday, 30th. — General orders for none to leave the camp. 

Saturday, July 1st. — The Cat Ship fired at some of our people in 
a swimming. 

Sunday, ‘2d. — The Gageites fired upon our troops at Roxbury, hove 
a number of carcasses and bombs, but did no damage, only burnt one 
house; in [the] afternoon showers till at night. General Washington 
came into the camp. 

Monday, 3d. — Turned out early in the morning, got in readiness to 
be reviewed by the general. New orders given out by General Wash- 
ington. 

Tuesday, 4th. — Pleasant in the morning; afternoon, heard that the 
Regulars were coming out at night; set ‘off a party to intrench on 
Lechmere’s Point, which they did and returned before morning. 

Wednesday, 5th. — Pleasant, all still, heard prayers, and at night 
alarmed ; lodged on our arms all night. 7 

Thursday, 6th. — Pleasant, nothing remarkable, all well. 

Friday, 7th. — Paraded early in the morning, heard prayers, and a 
false alarm at night. 

Saturday, 8th.— Alarmed early in the morning by our people’s 
setting the Regular guard-houses on fire; burnt three [houses] and 
killed four Regulars. 

Sunday, 9th.— All still, attended public worship The Rey. Mr. 
Cleaveland preached all day. At retreat beat, a man was whipped 
twenty lashes for striking his officer: he belonged to Colonel Nixon's 
Regiment. 

Monday, 10th.— Burnt two or three houses at Roxbury that the 
Regulars kept for guard-houses. Very hot all day, and dry. 

Tuesday, 11th. — Pleasant ; saw the fire at Roxbury this morning; 
very hot forenoon; afternoon, a fine shower, very sharp lightning 
and heavy thunder. The same day our people took from Long Island 
in Boston Bay fifteen prisoners, and one of them was Primus Hoyt, a 
negro that belonged to Joseph Hoyt, of Newburyport, and nineteen 
head of cattle and one hundred sheep, and killed a number of hogs, 
with the loss of only one man. 

Wednesday, 12th.— Very warm all day, nothing remarkable. 

Thursday, 13th.— Went with Captain Jones and Captain Noyes to 
view the intrenchments and the guards. 

Friday, 14th.— New orders; pleasant in morning, but cool; had 
one man killed at Roxbury with cannon-ball. In the forenoon took my 
commission. 


8 


Saturday, 15th. — Captain Lunt went home to recruit men; new 
orders read to the company. 

Sunday, 16th. — Turned out at gun-firing. In the morning heard 
Mr. Cleaveland preach ; forenoon from Judges vy. 23; the other part 
of the day, Ephesians v. 16. 

Monday, 17th. — Not well; a small shower of rain in the forenoon, 
afternoon a heavy shower of rain, heavy thunder and sharp lightning. 

Tuesday, 18th.— This morning a Manifesto from the Grand Conti- 
nental Congress was read by the Rev. Mr. Leonard, chaplain to the 
Connecticut forces upon Prospect Hill in Charlestown, to those troops 
encamped upon and near said hill. Our standard was presented in the 
midst of the regiments with this inscription upon it, “ Appeal to 
Heaven ;” after which Mr. Leonard made a short prayer, and then [ we] 
were dismissed by the discharge of a cannon, three cheers, and a war 
whoop by the Indians. Captain Derby arrived with our packet from 
England, and went to Congress. 

Wednesday, 19th.— Went to intrench upon another hill to the north 
of Prospect Hill and near Bunker Hill in Charlestown and near Mystic 
River. 

Thursday, 20th.— Fast day, pleasant weather; our people burnt 
Boston lighthouse early this morning; heard the Rev. Mr. Cleaveland 
preach forenoon from Psalm ]. 15: “ And call upon me in the day of 
trouble, I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me ;” afternoon, from 
Ecclesiastes vii. 14: “ But in the day of adversity consider.” Heard 
that our people killed six Regulars at Roxbury with a cannon-ball, 
but found it to be false; took five prisoners at the lighthouse. 

Friday, 21st. — Pleasant weather. No remarks. 

Saturday, 22d. — Went upon main guard upon the lines at Charles- 
town. 

Sunday, 23d.— Came off guard at ten o’clock, heard the Rey. Mr. 
Cleaveland preach from Isaiah. Captains Lunt and Kent came into 
the camps on Prospect Hill, Charlestown; Colonel Little went home. - 

Monday, 24th. — Pleasant weather, but warm; nothing remarkable. 

Tuesday, 25th. — Lieutenant Montgomery went home recruiting; 
at night one of the Regular Grenadiers deserted and came over to our 
sentries ; two regiments came here from Roxbury, belonging to Rhode 
Island. 

Wednesday, 26th. — New orders, that no man fire a gun upon no 
pretence whatever, unless leave from the general. Two of the Regu- 
lars deserted and came to our sentries. 

Thursday, 27th. — Cloudy and rain in the morning, wind at the 
southward. No remarks. 

Friday, 28th.— Colonel Whitcomb’s Regiment encamped upon 
Prospect Hill. An accident happened upon Prospect Hill: a gun 
went off and wounded two of the Rhode Island troops, one in the 
hand, the other in the foot, but likely to do well. 

Saturday, 29th.— Two hundred and eighty of our regiment went 
upon main guard and quarter guard, even the cooks after dinner ; fair 
weather. 


9 


Sunday, 30th.— Last night, twelve o’clock, a party of General 
Washington’s Riflemen crept within the Regulars’ sentries, but being 
discovered were fired upon, which occasioned a skirmish between them 
and the Regulars’ main guard. Killed of the Regulars seven, took 
two prisoners: one corporal of the Riflemen was killed or taken. Be- 
tween the hours of twelve and one o’clock we had an alarm, and we 
were all paraded, and there was an immediate cry for volunteers to 
follow such officers as would head them, when all our company marched 
out to follow the officers wherever they went, and some part of every 
company in the regiment. We marched up into the fort, and were 
ordered [to] ground our arms and wait for orders: the alarm was occa- 
sioned by the Regulars intrenching upon Charlestown Common. ‘Fhe 
intent of the volunteers was to go down and beat them off, but upon 
further consideration the generals thought it not prudent to proceed, 
they being under cover of their cannon upon Bunker’s Hill and the 
floating batteries and the ships. The generals ordered us to return, and 
be ready at a moment’s warning: [we] then returned according to 
orders. 

Monday, 31st. — Last night at ten o’clock another alarm; paraded 
immediately, marched up to the fort, but were ordered back. This was 
occasioned by a brisk fire at the lower sentries. ‘The Regulars came 
out of their fort to drive in our sentries; but all was soon quieted, and 
[ we | were ordered back. ‘Turned in and got to sleep ; at one o%lock were 
alarmed by the ery of “Turn out, — for God’s sake, turn out.” We 
paraded again and manned our lines, and there remained until after 
sunrise: the greatest part of the night the air was filled with the roar- 
ing of cannon and the cracking of small arms upon all sides. The 
Riflemen had engaged them upon Charlestown Common from two 
o'clock till after sunrise, killed a number, recovered five guns, and lost 
nota man. At the same time they were engaged at Roxbury with 
small arms. ‘The Regulars set fire to a house and barn in Roxbury, 
and hove two bomb-shells. The same night our people set fire to the 
new: lighthouse; about eight hundred of our people went, took and 
killed all upon the island, — killed fifteen, took twenty-five marines, and 
seven Tories. This day two of our men were killed by a cannon-ball 
from Bunker’s Hill: they kept a continual fire all day from the hill and 
the floating batteries. At about four o’clock p.m. they sent out a flag 
of truce, desiring [a] cessation of arms for three days; but it was not 
granted. One of the Riflemen shot at the flag-staff of the truce, and 
cut it off above his hand. Between sunset and dark our people killed 
fourteen of the Regulars which came out in search of their dead. 

Tuesday, August 1, 1775.— Orders given from the general for 
scouting parties to fire at all times whenever they have opportunity. 
The same day raised the mast that came out of the schooner that was 
burnt at Chelsea, for to hoist our flag upon, in the fort upon Prospect 
Hill in Charlestown, seventy-six feet high. 

Wednesday, 2d.— Had a good night’s rest last night; all still this 
morning; some firing upon both sides at sunset, but killed none upon 
our side; some Regulars were seen dragged away, supposed to be 
dead. 2* 


10 


Thursday, 3d. — Went upon court martial; some firing upon both 

sides of the lines to-day, with small arms; very cvol for the time of 
year. 
: Friday, 4th. — Went upon court-martial. Lieutenant Montgomery 
and wife and Captain Lunt’s wife came into camp. The Regulars 
hauled up another ship back of the Common, Boston, or near New 
Boston. 

Saturday, 5th. — Captain Lunt and wife, Montgomery and wife and 
Kent went to Roxbury. No remarks this day. 

Sunday, 6th. — Cool weather, the wind at N.E. In the afternoon the 
Regulars went from Bunker’s Hill and set fire to a house at Penny 
Ferry ; they fired.a number of cannon from their floating batteries, but 
did no damage; we returned the fire and silenced them. 

Monday, 7th. — Very cool for the season. Sat upon court-martial 
to try Patrick Tracy for disobedience of orders, found him guilty ; 
judgment brought in against him to ride the wooden horse twenty 
minutes. 

Tuesday, 8th. — Three hundred Riflemen came into the camps, killed 
two Regulars. A number of cannon were fired from the enemy, and 
small arms upon both sides. 

Wednesday, 9th.— Patrick Tracy rode the wooden horse, after 
which Mrs. Lunt and Mrs. Montgomery left the camps. Cloudy this 
morning; in the afternoon rain, after a dry time. At night went with 
Captain Gerrish upon Picket guard, lodged out upon the ground all 
night. Yesterday a vessel from the West Indies came into Cape Ann. 
She was beset by a cutter and barges from the Lively man-of-war that 
lay there, but, by the help of God and the dexterity of the people, beat 
them off the schooner, and took twenty-five prisoners with the master, 
and seven of our people which they had pressed on board the ship; 
likewise took another vessel from them that they had of ours, with the 
loss of two men: they shot at the town, and did considerable of 
damage. 

Thursday, 10th.—In the morning cloudy, afternoon a great plenty 
of rain. 

Friday, 11th.— Cloudy and some rain. A few small arms fired 
upon both sides, but did no damage. 

Saturday, 12th.— Fine weather for the season, all still this morn- 
ing; in the afternoon a fine shower of rain, cleared up pleasant. No 
remarks. 

Sunday, 13th. — Pleasant weather after rain; went to Medford to 
meeting forenoon; dined at Billings’. Two Regulars deserted from 
Bunker’s Hill, swam over to Malden, and were carried to Royal's, 
General Washington’s headquarters. 

Monday, 14th. — Fine weather for the season. No remarks. 

Tuesday, 15th.— Some firing with cannon upon both sides at Rox- 
bury; all still at Bunker Hill; wounded one man by a bomb, one 
man was killed by our own people at the lower sentry. 

Wednesday, 16th. — Pleasant weather for the season; some firing 
from the Regular sentries. 


11 


Thursday, 17th. — Fine weather, had a shot from Bunker Hill, did 
no damage. 

Friday, 18th. — Went upon picket, home-guard; a smart shower 
last night. 

Saturday, 19th. — Pleasant in the morning, cool in afternoon, the 
wind out east. No remarks this day. 

Sunday, 20th.— Went upon main guard at the corner house; some 
firing from each sentry, but did no damage; all the brigade mustered 
and manned the lines. 

Monday, 21st.— Pleasant for the season, came off main guard at 
eleven o’clock. 

Tuesday, 22d.— Very hot weather, all still, no remarks. To-day 
Lieutenant Whittemore and wife came into camp, and Amos Pear- 
son. 

Wednesday, 23d.— Very warm weather; heard some cannon that 
were fired from Roxbury from the Regulars ; went upon picket guard 
at night, some firing about midnight in the Common, Charlestown, but 
did no damage upon either side. 

Thursday, 24th.— Very hot, came off guard at sunset. No remarks 
to-day. 

Friday, 25th. —In the afternoon three men from the Regulars’ 
floating [battery] there swam at Malden, and one came through 
Charlestown. A number of cannon and small arms were ‘fired from 
the enemy this afternoon, but did no damage. 

Saturday, 26th. — Cloudy this morning; some small arms fired at 
break of day. At night a large number of men, about twenty-five hun- 
dred, went to intrench upon a hill near Mystic River, well known by 
the name of the Plowed Hill: about one thousand had tools, the other 
was to cover them in case of an attack from the enemy. 

Sunday, 27th.— As soon in the morning as the enemy saw our 
works, they cannonaded it from Bunker Hill and their floating bat- 
teries, killed two of our men with their cannon shot, belonging [to] 
Rhode Island, one of them was adjutant to Colonel Varnum’s regi- 
ment, and his name was Mumford; wounded one Rifleman in the leg so 
that he was obliged to have it cut off; killed one Indian; they kept 
almost a continual fire with cannon and small arms all day; we killed 
a number of Regulars at the lower sentry. 

Monday, 28th. — Last night we had a very smart shower of rain, 
attended with extreme hard thunder and sharp lightning: it began be- 
tween eleven and twelve o'clock, and lasted about. three-quarters of an 
hour. This morning pleasant, but some clouds after rain. All still 
at Bunker’s Hill; some cannon fired in the afternoon; killed one of the 
Rhode Island men with a cannon shot, and wounded Robert Martial 
of Captain Lunt’s company in the thigh with a small shot; the enemy 
hove three bomb-shells at sunset at the Plowed Hill breastwork, but did 
no damage. 

Tuesday, 29th.— Went up to the alarm post at break of day, re- 
turned at sunrise; cloudy this morning; at seven o’clock came on 
stormy, wind at N.E., rained very hard. At night went upon picket 


12 


guard at the Plowed Hill, out all night in the rain: the Regulars hove 
eight bomb-shells, but did no damage. 

Wednesday, 30th. — Stormy all day, wind at N.E.; some cannon 
fired from Bunker Hill; at night had four bomb-shells hove at the 
Plowed Hill. 

Thursday, 31st.— Stormy all day, wind at N.E. Some small arms 
fired at the lower sentries, and some cannon from Bunker’s Hill. 

Friday, Sept. 1, 1775. — Last night a number of cannon was fired 
at Roxbury, and small arms; stormy this morning, wind at N.E.; a 
great number of small arms fired at the lower sentries upon both 
sides ; one man wounded at Plowed Hill, and two killed at Roxbury 
with cannon shot, and two deserted from the Regulars from Roxbury. 

Saturday, 2d. — Cloudy this morning, then pleasant at eight o’clock, 
and warm after a cold storm; cloudy afternoon ; several bombs hove 
from Bunker’s Hill, two burst in the air, and two fell that did not break, 
which were dug out and carried to General Greene. 

Sunday, 3d. — Stormy all day, wind N.E.; one carcass, one shell, 
and some cannon-shot hove to-day. 

Monday, 4th. — Cloudy, dull weather. This morning some cannon 
and small arms fired from the Gageites, and some bombs hove. 

Tuesday, 5th.— Pleasant weather after a long storm. At night 
went upon guard at Plowed Hill; very cool in the night; all still. 
Took three horses from the Regulars in Charlestown Common; fair 
weather. 

Wednesday, 6th. — Came off guard from Plowed Hill at night, all 
still. 

Thursday, 7th. — Pleasant weather for the season; all still. No re- 
marks. 

Friday, 8th. — Fair weather, all still; a general court martial held 
for the trial of Colonel Mansfield, at Cambridge. 

Saturday, 9th.— Paraded in order to pass muster forenoon, but 
did not pass, for the muster master had not time; so were dismissed. 
Some mutiny among the soldiers. 

Sunday, 10th.— Pleasant weather; some cannon fired from the 
enemy, at Roxbury. Heard the Rev. Mr. Cleaveland, forenoon, from 
Psalm xiv. 1. Twenty of our company enlisted to go to Canada under 
the command of Captain Ward. 

Monday, 11th.— Cool this morning, wind at N.W., blowed hard; 
passed muster. In the afternoon, six Regulars and a sergeant were 
taken prisoners at Dorchester. 

Tuesday, 12th. — Pleasant weather for the season. No remarks. 

Wednesday, 13th. — Pleasant for the season; went to Sewall’s 
Point. In the afternoon the regiment marched from Cambridge to 
Newburyport, there to embark for Canada, under the command of 
Colonel Arnold, Lieutenant-colonel Greene, and Major Bigelow. 
Captain Ward commanded the company that the Newbury men 
enlisted in. 

Thursday, 14th. — Came off picket-guard this morning from Plowed 
Hill, and in the forenoon paraded, by General Greene’s order, the whole 


13 


of his brigade, and manned the lines; then returned to quarters. A 
Rifleman was killed dead by an accident of a gun going off. 

Friday, 15th. — Fair weather, this morning wind blowed very hard 
at S.W. <A man was shot through the body at Plowed Hill by a gun’s 
discharging accidentally. 

Saturday, 16th. — Cloudy this morning, but warm. A Regular of 
the Fifth Regiment, deserted, and came to the Whitehouse guard last 
night. The plot that he laid was this: he was standing sentry with 
another Regular, he took the flint out of his own gun, hove out the 
priming and spit in the pan, then offered to swap with his partner and 
give him a drink in the morning, which he accepted. As soon as that 
was done made his escape; his partner snapped his gun at him, but to 
no purpose; he turned round and discharged his piece at his partner, 
then threw off his watch-coat, and cartridge-box, and made the best 
of his way to our guard. 

Sunday, 17th. — Rain last night, cloudy this morning. Heard the Rev. 
Mr. Cleaveland preach, forenoon, from Acts iii. 19: “ Repent ye there- 
fore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the 
times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” Some 
cannon fired from Roxbury upon both sides; all still at Bunker Hill. 
One Regular lieutenant killed at Roxbury with a cannon-shot, several 
more wounded; one hung himself because he thought he was in a 
wrong cause. : 

Monday, 18th. — Foggy this morning, but warm, cleared off, pleasant 
forenoon. A number of cannon fired upon both sides at Roxbury; 
two shells hove to Plowed Hill, but did no damage; one cannon fired 
from Prospect Hill at the ship near Lechmere’s Point, but did no exe- 
cution. 

Tuesday, 19th.— Cloudy, wind at east. Some cannon fired at 
Roxbury, on both sides; rain at night; two shells hove at Plowed Hill. 

Wednesday, 20th. — Cloudy this morning, some rain. Last night a 
Regular deserted, and came to the Plowed Hill picket with all his ac- 
coutrements. A man was set in the pillory for being concerned in writ- 
ing an infamous letter against Colonel Brewer. He was to sit one 
hour ; before the time is [was] out the man fainted, and the doctors 
much ado to bring him to. At night went on guard at Plowed Hill. 
Cool at night. 

Thursday, 21st.— Pleasant this morning. At about eleven o’clock 
the Regulars -began a fire from Bunker Hill upon our people that 
were intrenching between Prospect Hill and Plowed Hill; they hove 
two shells and a number of cannon-shot, but did no damage, only 
wounded two men belonging to Colonel Doolittle’s regiment. In the 
te some cannon fired from Roxbury and two from Prospect 

ill. 

Friday, 22d. — King’s coronation day, 1771 [1761]. The cannon 
were fired from the ships and batteries in Boston and some from 
Bunker’s Hill at our people. Rain in the afternoon. 

Saturday, 23d. — Pleasant after rain; went upon fatigue between 
Prospect Hill and Plowed Hill. Some cannon fired from Plowed 


i4 ; 


Hill, and a number at Roxbury, but did no damage as we have heard. 


Captain Lunt went home. 
Sunday, 24th. — Pleasant this morning, but cool. Attended public 
worship all day. All still on both sides. No remarks. 


Monday, 25th. — Cool last night; pleasant this day. Some bombs — 


hove at Plowed Hill; one broke in the air, but did no damage. 

Tuesday, 26th. — Some cannon fired from Bunker Hill at our people 
near Plowed Hill. A number of fatigue men went into the fort to 
make preparations for-barracks upon Prospect Hill. All still on both 
sides. 

Wednesday, 27th.—In the morning all still; at twelve o’clock the 
whole brigade turned out, manned the lines, and were reviewed by the 
generals. All still both sides ; wind at south, blowed hard, some rain 
just at night. 

Thursday, 28th.— Fair weather and pleasant for the season; all 
still this morning, nothing remarkable to-day. 

Friday, 29th. — Cool last night, all still on both sides, wind out 
east. No remarks; two Regulars deserted at night from Roxbury. 

Saturday, 30th.— Pleasant for the season; went upon guard at 
Plowed Hill at eight o’clock in the morning. All still on both sides. 

Sunday, Oct. 1, 1775.— Came off guard at nine o’clock in [the] 
morning; all still. In the evening Captain Lunt returned to the 
camp ; ‘cloudy and some rain. 

Monday, 2d.— Cloudy this morning and earn wind at the south- 
ward; all still. A Regular deserted from Bunker Hill and came to 
our lines. 

Tuesday, 3d. — Clear and pleasant; set out for Newburyport at 
eight o’clock in the morning; carried Stephen Lunt home sick ; got 
home at nine in the evening. All well. 

Thursday, 12th. — Set out for the camp at nine o’clock and arrived 
at eight at night ; left my father sick, the rest of my friends well. 

Friday, 13th. — Fair weather, went on guard at the Whitehouse, at 
night alt still at Bunker Hill. Nothing remarkable. 

Saturday, 14th. — Pleasant for the season; came off guard at night. 
All still. i 

Sunday, 15th. — Cloudy this morning, and cool. Heard the Rey. 
Mr. Cleaveland preach, forenoon, from Luke iii. 9: “And now also 
the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree, therefore, which 
bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” _In 
the afternoon he delivered a fine discourse from Luke x. 42: “ But 
one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part which shall 
not be taken away from her.” At night heard of the death of Captom 
Lunt’s youngest child, named Ezra. 

Monday, 16th.— Some rain last [night], but cleared off pleasant 
this morning; in the afternoon wind blowed hard at N.W. Mark 
Anthony departed this life with a putrid fever; he was a soldier in 
Captain Gerrish’s company. One man broke out with the small-pox 
in Captain Parker’s company, and was moved away to the hospital : 
it is thought that he catched it by a pair of stockings that he took out 
of a stone wall. 


ad, 4 


15 


Tuesday, 17th. — Fine weather for the season. Lieutenant Mont- 
gomery went home to get tools to finish the barracks. 

Wednesday, 18th. — Last night two of our floating batteries went 
out of Cambridge River, in order to alarm the Regulars in Boston and 
to try the cannon. After they had fired a number of times into Boston 
Common they unhappily burst a nine-pounder, which did considerable 
damage, killed one man and wounded seven more, and damaged the 
battery, but made out to reach the shore. One Rifleman deserted from 
us to-day and went to Bunker Hill. 

Thursday, 19th.— Warm for the season; at night a very heavy 
shower of rain. 

Friday, 20th.— Cloudy and some rain; at night went on picket- 
guard; at about twelve o’clock it began to rain, and so continued all 
night. 

Saturday, 21st.— Rain all day, came off guard at night; all still. 

Sunday, 22d.— Wind at south-west, blowed hard. Attended public 
worship, heard the Rey. Mr. Cleaveland, forenoon, from Matthew xvi. 
26: . For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and 
lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” 
In the afternoon from Matthew iii. 12: “ Whose fan is in his hand, and 
he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the 
garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 

Monday, 23d.— All still this morning and pleasant. Nothing re- 
markable. 

Tuesday, 24th. — Cloudy in the morning and rain till near night, 
then cleared up cool. News came to headquarters that the Regulars 
had burnt near two-thirds of Falmouth last Wednesday, and that they 
had orders to burn all capital towns between there and Boston. 

Wednesday, 25th.— Went upon fatigue, wind blowed hard at west, 
and cool. 

Thursday, 26th.— Pleasant for the season, and all still with the 
enemy. A wrestling-match between Winter Hill brigade and Pros- 
pect, before our regiment; ours carried the ring. 

Friday, 27th.— Went upon guard at Plowed Hill, some rain; all 
still with the enemy. Nothing remarkable. 

Saturday, 28th. — Came off guard, rain all day, wind at N.E. 

Sunday, 29th. — Fair weather. This morning a Regular sergeant 
deserted and came to the Whitehouse guard and said they expected us 
in last night, and kept their lines manned all night. 

Monday, 30th. — Cool this morning; in the afternoon went to Rox- 
bury by way of Sewall’s Point, to view the works; all still with the 
enemy. 

Tuesday, 31st.— Pleasant this morning and warm for the season ; 
no remarks, all still. ; 

Wednesday, Nov. 1, 1775.— Pleasant for the season; all still, 
nothing remarkable. 

Thursday, 2d. — Pleasant weather in the morning, in the afternoon 
the wind out N.E. Nothing remarkable to-day. 

Friday, 3d.— Began to rain last night about midnight, rainy this 
morning. Some cannon fired on board the ships; stormy all day. 


16 


Saturday, 4th.— Fair weather and cool. Captain Lunt’s wife and 
Mr. Huse’s came into the camps; dined upon roast pork. Daniel 
Mitchell went home. 

Sunday, 5th.— Fair weather and pleasant for the season. Went 
upon guard in the morning; some rain at night; all still. 

Monday, 6th. — Cloudy and warm for the season. Came off guard ; 
all still. 

Tuesday, 7th. — Rain last night and this morning ; stormy all day. 

Wednesday, 8th. — Fair weather, all still. 

Thursday, 9th.— Cloudy this morning, some rain. Went upon 
fatigue. About two o’clock p.m. an alarm through the camp, occa- 
sioned by the Regulars embarking from Boston and Charlestown in 
boats and landing on Lechmere’s Point, in order to take off some cat- 
tle; the tide being very full, made it difficult for our men to go on, 
but notwithstanding a large number waded on up to their middles 
in water and drove them off with the help of the cannon on Prospect 
Hill. They took off twelve cattle before our men could get on. One — 
Regular was found dead, the next morning. They fired from their 
ship and from Charlestown, but did little or no damage. The number 
that came out is thought to be about five hundred. 

Friday, 10th.— A very heavy storm came on last night, wind N.E. 
Some snow, but little to be seen in the morning. Cloudy, dull weather 
to-day ; all still. 

Saturday, 11th.— Fair weather, wind at N.W., blowed hard all day 
and cold. Heard that two Regulars deserted at Roxbury. 

Sunday, 12th.— Went upon Plowed Hill guard. Cold this day, 
wind blowed hard at N.W., cold at night. All still. 

Monday, 13th. — Came off guard this morning, windy and cool; all 
still. Received our wages for the month of September. In the after- 
noon some movement with the enemy, ordered to lay on our arms all 
night. New enlistments were given out. 

Tuesday, 14th.— Pleasant this morning for the season; all still. 
Heard the news that St. John’s was taken. by the American forces. 
Fine weather all day. 

Wednesday, 15th.— A heavy storm of rain came on last night, 
wind at N.E., blowed hard and rained very fast this morning. Two 
Regulars were taken at Plowed Hill; rain all day. 

Thursday, 16th. — A small flight of snow fell last night with some 
rain, wind at N.W. One Regular deserted and came to Plowed Hill 
last night, and heard that some deserted at Roxbury. Fair weather 
to-day ; all still with the enemy. 

Friday, 17th. — Clear and cold, wind at N.W. At night ordered to 
lay on our arms. 

Saturday, 18th. — Very cold for the season this morning. No alarm 
last night. 

Sunday, 19th. — Cool this morning, but pleasant. Went on guard; 
cool, uncomfortable weather ; all still. 

Monday, 20th. — Came off guard this morning from Plowed Hill. 
Pleasant for the season. All still in the day; at night turned out at 


ie 


about ten o’clock, went into the fort but found the alarm to be false. 
Returned to our ténts. 

Tuesday, 21st.— Cool this morning, all still. Captain Perkins 
and Lieutenant Huse went home to recruit men. 

Wednesday, 22d.— Snow fell last night so as to cover the ground. 
Captain Lunt went home to recruit men for the new army. 

Thursday, 23d.— Thanksgiving day, pleasant weather for the 
season. Last night a party of General Putnam’s Brigade went to 
intrench on a hill in Charlestown, well known by officers and soldiers 
by the name of Cobble Hill ; no opposition made as yet by the enemy. 

Friday, 24th. — Pleasant this morning for the season ; all still. 

Saturday, 25th.— Pleasant this morning. Alarmed. At eight 
o'clock paraded, marched up to the fort, but found it to be false. 
Returned, went upon fatigue. William Little and Francis and 
Anthony Davenport came into camp. 

Sunday, 26th. — Rain last night, wind at S.E., b[lowed] hard. 
Went on Plowed Hill guard this morning; stormy all day, wind at 
N.W., some snow. All still with the enemy. 

Monday, 27th. — Cleared off cold last night, cold this morning. 
Came off guard at sunrise; all still. 

Tuesday, 28th. — Cloudy, cold weather. News came that Montreal 
surrendered to the Americans. 

Wednesday, 29th.— A storm of rain came on last night, wind at 
N.E.; cleared off this morning pleasant and warm, wind at the south- 
ward. Allstill; heard that our privateers took a transport and brought 
her into Cape Ann loaded with warlike stores, one thirteen inch brass 
mortar. 

Thursday, 30th. — Good weather for the season; all still. 

Friday, Dec. 1, 1775.— Fine weather for the season. Captain 
Lunt came into camp; all still. A ship brought into Beverly by our 
privateer loaded with coal and dry goods. + 

Saturday, 2d.— Pleasant weather. Ensign Mitchell went home re- 
cruiting ; went to guard at Whitehouse. The 13 inch brass mortar was 
brought into Cambridge this day, with a number of*small arms and 
other warlike implements. 

Sunday, 3d.— Came off guard this morning; wind at southward, 
some rain and warm; all still.” 

Monday, 4th.— Good weather for the season, but cool. Ordered to 
lay upon our arms this night; one hundred boats were seen to pass 
from Boston to Charlestown this day. 

Tuesday, 5th. — Pleasant weather for the season. All still with the 
enemy last night. This morning the prisoners taken by our privateers 
and brought into Beverly were guarded through the camp to head- 
quarters, twelve in number; guarded by sixteen Rangers belonging to 
Salem, dressed in uniform. 

Wednesday, 6th. — Very fine weather for the season. All still with 
the enemy. 


Thursday, 7th.— Cloudy this morning, but pleasant. Nothing re- 
markable. 


18 


Friday, 8th. — Cloudy this morning, but warm. At six o’clock in 
the evening began to rain; heard that twenty tons of powder arrived 
at Dartmouth a few days since. Some of it is arrived in camp. One 
Rifleman shot another in their barrack, through the partition, and he 
expired immediately, the other confined for trial. 

Saturday, 9th.— Some snow and rain last night; cleared off cold 
this morning. All still with the enemy. 

Sunday, 10th.— Colonel Little’s regiment excused from duty. 
Paraded in order to enlist men for the new establishment; a consid- 
erable number engaged. Captain Manly, master of one of our priva- 
teers, took a ship and brig and brought them into Salem, which 
belonged to the king, laden with coal and West India goods and Eng- 
lish, &e. 

Monday, 11th.— Some rain last night, wind blowed hard at the 
southward, warm this morning, but soon cleared off cold, wind at N.W. 
Went upon guard at the Whitehouse. 

Tuesday, 12th. — Very cold this morning, wind at N.W.; came off 
guard at ten o'clock this morning. Edward Rand, of Newburyport, 
was taken on suspicion of having communication with the enemy at 
Boston, and brought to camp this day, to be examined by the commit- 
tee at Watertown. 

Wednesday, 13th.— Cold weather, wind at N.W. A number of men 
from General Putnam’s Brigade went and intrenched on Lechmere’s 
Point without any opposition from the enemy. 

Thursday, 14th. — Rain last night, warm this morning. Went to 
Plowed Hill to guard; some rain in the morning, cleared off pleasant. 

Friday, 15th.— Very pleasant for the season. All still with the 
enemy. Heard that Canada had surrendered to the American arms, 
and that Governor Curlton with four or five more were fled to the wil- 
derness. This report proved to be false. 

Saturday, 16th. — Pleasant for the season, and warm for December. 
All still with the enemy. 

Sunday, 17th. — Rain last night, foggy this morning. After our men 
had made a covered way on to Lechmere’s Point began to intrench on 
the height of the point. As soon as they were discovered by the enemy 
they were saluted with four cannon, loaded with grape and langrage 
shot; wounded two of our troops, and that was all the damage done 
by the ship, which lay near the point. They continued the fire from 
the ship all day; at times hove a.number of shells, but did no damage 
with them. Our men fired at the ship from Cobble Hill, which made 
her move off the next morning. 

Monday, 18th.— Cleared off cold this morning, wind at N.W. 
Some shells hove from Boston and Bunker Hill to-day, but did no 
damage. 

Tuesday, 19th.— A number of shells were hove by the enemy last 
night from Bunker Hill and Boston, but were but little minded by 
our troops; still kept on with their intrenchment. One Regular de- 
serted last night from Bunker Hill; some shells and shot hove to- 
day. 


19 


Wednesday, 20th. — Some shells and shot hove from Boston and 
Bunker Hill, but did no damage. 

Thursday, 21st.— Very cold weather. Some shells hove from the 
enemy, but did us no damage. 

Friday, 22d.— Cold weather. One Regular deserted from Bunker 
Hill. No uncommon movement with the enemy to-day. 

Saturday, 23d.— Set out from the camp afoot at eight o'clock in 
[the] morning, in company with Samuel Noyes; got to his house at 
seven in the evening; at nine arrived home, found Mrs. Lunt well as 
could be expected; she was delivered of her first son at about ten 
o'clock in the day, call:d his name Joshua Coffin. He lived ten days 
and left this evil world. ; 


Paul Lunt, son of Paul Lunt and Margaret his wife, was born July 
2, 1777. 

Sarah Lunt, daughter of Paul Lunt and Margaret his wife, was 
born Sept. 5, 1779. 

Margaret Lunt, daughter of Paul Lunt and Margaret his wife, was 
born Oct. 14, 1781. 


MEMORANDUM, 1779. 


1779. — The month of February very fine weather, but little snow. 
The month of March, some small snows at the beginning, but the 22d 
a severe storm of snow that fell about a foot deep. 23d, cleared off 
pleasant; the 24th came on a storm of snow more terrible; wind at 
east, then N.E. lasted till next day. The wind continued N.E. by N. 
Very cold for the season. More snow on the ground than at any one 
time in the winter. 











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